Ahmad Brooks, one of the 49ers’ starting outside linebackers, was charged Wednesday with misdemeanor sexual battery in relation to a December incident at Ray McDonald’s house in which a woman slipped on a pool decking and was knocked unconscious.

A civil suit filed by the woman in May alleged Brooks “groped her person in a sexual manner” when she was unconscious after hitting her head. She claimed video surveillance supports the accusation. She also alleged McDonald then carried her to his bedroom and had sex with her without her consent.

McDonald was indicted this week on one count of rape of an intoxicated person. A news release from the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s office said California law prohibits intercourse with a person who is too intoxicated to consent.

The 49ers released McDonald in December after he was named in a police investigation of the incident. He was later signed by the Chicago Bears, who released him in May after he was arrested on suspicion of domestic violence and child endangerment.

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The news about Ahmad Brooks comes less than three weeks after another starting outside linebacker, Aldon Smith, was arrested on DUI, hit and run and vandalism charges. The 49ers released Smith shortly after the arrest.

The news about Brooks comes less than three weeks after another starting outside linebacker, Aldon Smith, was arrested on DUI, hit and run and vandalism charges. The 49ers released Smith shortly after the arrest and he is not expected to play this season.

Brooks, 31, participated in the 49ers’ scrimmage with the Broncos on the outskirts of Denver on Wednesday. After learning Brooks had been charged in the case, the 49ers sent him home to California and announced he will not play in Saturday’s preseason game in Denver. The outside linebackers available for the game are Aaron Lynch, Corey Lemonier, Shawn Lemon and rookies Eli Harold and Marcus Rush. Nick Bellore, an inside linebacker, could move to the outside in a pinch.

“We take any charge against a member of this organization seriously and are in communication with the NFL,” 49ers general manager Trent Baalke said in a statement. The charge against Brooks is the 13th time a 49ers player has been arrested or charged with a crime since 2012.

Bruce Miller, one of the players arrested during that span, missed Wednesday’s practice. In June, he pleaded no contest to misdemeanor disturbing the peace, which stemmed from an argument with his former fiancée. Miller’s case is being reviewed by the NFL and his absence Wednesday likely was related to that review.

In 2013, Brooks was cited in a police report for hitting a teammate in the head with a beer bottle and punching him in the face, but charges were not filed. While playing for the Cincinnati Bengals in 2008, Brooks was accused of punching a woman in the eye in Kentucky. Later that year, Brooks told reporters the case had been expunged, and the Boone County (Ky.) District Court has no record of it.

Brooks missed most of one game last year after arguing with coaches, specifically then-defensive line coach Jim Tomsula, on the sideline. He was suspended for another game after missing a team meeting.

Ray McDonald was also indicted for a May 27 violation of the court’s domestic violence restraining order, which carries a maximum sentence of one year in jail.

Brooks, however, seemed to refocus this year, entering training camp in good physical condition and taking more of a leadership role.

A Santa Clara County grand jury also indicted McDonald for a May 27 violation of the court’s domestic violence restraining order, which carries a maximum sentence of one year in jail. The grand jury declined to indict McDonald on felony false imprisonment and other domestic violence misdemeanor charges stemming from a May 25 incident with another woman.

About This Blog

Matt Barrows was born in Blacksburg, Va., and attended the University of Virginia. He graduated in 1995, went to Northwestern for a journalism degree a year later, and got his first job at a South Carolina daily in 1997. He joined The Sacramento Bee as a Metro reporter in 1999 and started covering the San Francisco 49ers in 2003. His favorite player of all time is Darrell Green. Reach Barrows at mbarrows@sacbee.com.
Twitter: @mattbarrows